Priority Areas eNews (64) July 2008     Dear Friends,   Welcome to the Priority Areas eNews, which is now sent to 434 subscribers every month. The eNews seeks to draw together information relating to tackling poverty and faith communities in Scotland, with a current focus on the work of the Church of Scotland’s Priority Areas Committee and also including some of the work of Faith in Community (Scotland)’s Transformation Team. To know more about who we are and what we do, go to www.churchofscotland.org.uk/priorityareas.htm.   To subscribe please contact Lynn MacLellan (t: 01412482905; e: lmaclellan@cofscotland.org.uk). If you have news you would wish to be included, please contact Noel Mathias (t: 01412482905; e: nmathias@cofscotland.org.uk). The next edition will be circulated on Thursday, 7th August. Any contributions should reach the office by Monday, 28th July 2008.   Have a great month ahead!     Contents   Priority Areas News A Mixed Economy Church of Scotland CURBS Evening for Sunday School Teachers Regional Forums for Staff in Ministries in Priority Areas Retreat for Priority Area Ministries   Poverty News Approaches to Alcohol & Drugs in Scotland Community Sentences Better Than Prison Moral But No Compass Review of Fuel Poverty in Scotland The Million Vote Mandate – Challenges Facing Boris Johnson ‘Today’s Parents are Poor Role Models for Kids’   Transformation Team News Team Updates Faithful Purpose Funding Support Available Pathways to Grief (Dundee, 1st – 2nd September) Youth Opportunities   Forthcoming Events Days Like This Maryhill Churches Together – Join Us for a Walk (2nd August)   Funding News Hilton in the Community Foundation Funding to Tackle Consumer and Financial Illiteracy Kellogs Active Living Fund Philip Lawrence Awards Tesco Charity Trust – Community Awards £30m Scottish Investment Fund (SIF) to ‘Create Bigger Social Enterprise in Scotland’ The Church of Scotland Parish Development Fund (PDF) The Church of Scotland Priority Areas Staffing Fund (PASF)   Resources & Publications A Snapshot Summary Ethos, Effectiveness and Excellence Faith in Wales Housing Policies for Scotland: Changes and Challenges New Masters for Christians Called to Social Action People’s Attachment to Place – The Influence of Neighbourhood Deprivation Young People and Loss   Jobs Full-Time Youth Development Worker   Priority Areas eNews (Contact Details)     Priority Areas News In each edition, we are keen to carry some of the stories of what is going on in your area. Why not send in a couple of lines about events happening in your parish?   A Mixed Economy Church of Scotland A changing Scotland landscape, dotted with multicultural groups and social issues, call for a renewed focus on harnessing both ‘inherited’ and ‘emerging’ modes of church. In line with this vision, the Ministries Council and Mission & Discipleship Council are collaborating in an innovative way to enable the Church of Scotland to face the challenges of ministry and mission in today’s world. Rev. David Curry has been appointed as a Development Worker to discover, encourage and promote new ways of being church for the present times and beyond. For more information on ‘Emerging Church’ and ‘Emerging Ministries’ contact David (t: 01312255722; e: dcurrie@cofscotland.org.uk).   CURBS Evening for Sunday School Teachers 25 folks came along for the CURBS evening on 24th June. The evening was about gathering a lot of useful information which will, in the coming months, translate into some good resources for our children’s workers. The emphasis on children’s spirituality, on avoiding the danger of ‘cleaning’ the biblical stories and personal vulnerability as a way of class control and teaching was useful and connected with everyone’s context. We recognise that there is a clear need for training in this field and our hope is to offer such events at least twice a year.   Regional Forums for Staff in Ministries in Priority Areas Recognising the need for ‘horizontal’ relationships and support network, staff in ministries in the priority areas came together in several regional forums in the month of June. What did they think of it?   “I enjoyed the forum gathering on Friday (20th June).I found the opportunity of meeting those in priority areas good to share our experiences. The time together seemed short but very precious. It was particularly good to hear our stories and to share our hopes and fears. It certainly helps in the isolation to know that there are those whom we can pray for and share with. I am grateful to Kenny for the lunch and of hearing about the good work that is being done in Dundee”. (Rev. Alistair Murray, Holy Trinity Parish, Inverness – Dundee Forum)   “It was refreshing to have a paperless and `agenda-less’ meeting, and also to have real honesty in sharing with colleagues. I was sorry that time beat us in the end, and hope that we will be able to develop a pattern of supportive, honest and challenging meetings to enrich and develop our various ministries”. (Rev. Muriel Pearson, Cranhill Parish– Easterhouse Forum)   “On Tuesday 24th June a number of ministry colleagues met at the manse of Christopher Rowe.  We were assured that there was no agenda - the aim was merely to get to know each other a little better.  This we achieved with astonishing ease as those who had been serving for decades in Priory Area charges shared equally with those who had only recently arrived into such a challenging and rewarding environment.  We shared some of our life story, what brought us to this place and in the short time together we learned a lot about each other.  For me, I was reminded of the significance of being open with one another as Christians.  I hope that such a meeting might lead to more opportunities to share and to support one another in ministry”. (Rev. Stuart Matthews, Maryhill Parish Church – Glasgow North Forum)     “At the gathering at John Mann's there was the opportunity for the folk there to share something of their personal journeys. Everyone found this helpful, encouraging and challenging. We found it interesting that there were both similarities and differences in our stories. All were listened to carefully and with deep respect. Thank you John for hosting a lovely lunch for the gathering”. (Rev. Graeme Bell, Carnwadric Parish – Glasgow South West Forum) Retreat for Priority Area Ministries (By Rev. Margaret Whyte – Pollokshaws Parish Church) “Thanks for organising the retreat on Wednesday (18th June). It was a gentle day, refreshing, and comforting with reaffirmed assurance of God's love; though it was also very thought provoking. - and a lovely lunch - and it was free!!! It was actually very beneficial too, that everyone worked in UPA parishes.”   Poverty News In each edition we will try to share just a little bit of the many news stories affecting people living in poverty in Scotland and the organisations working alongside them.   Approaches to Alcohol & Drugs in Scotland Scotland’s Futures Forum set up to identify key challenges and strategies to alter the Scottish landscape of alcohol and drugs has suggested a rebalancing of policy and governance in favour of community approaches, linked to the prevention, voluntary treatment and harm reduction measures.  The full report can be read at www.scotlandfutureforum.org/assets/files/report.pdf.   Community Sentences Better Than Prison A new report, Community Sentencing – Reducing Reoffending, Changing Lives, has called for tough community sentencing  - tailored to individual offence and offender - as an effective measure for reducing reoffending. The report can be read at www.justice.gov.uk/docs/community-sentencing.pdf.   Moral But No Compass This is a ground-breaking new report commissioned by the Church of England on the Government's failure to take seriously its contribution to welfare in Britain. The church’s long history of social intervention is a clear case for a ‘fresh dialogue’ with the government – ‘on its own terms’. The report concludes by saying: `Only if such a fresh conversation emerges will the government manage to steer its faith-based policies back on course, and the Church step forward once again with a new confidence for the times. Only then will the government truly recover a convincing moral direction and its badly needed compass.’ The report can be ordered from www.st-edmunds.cam.ac.uk/vhi/index.shtml   Review of Fuel Poverty in Scotland Latest figures show that current fuel poverty measures including the central heating programme are missing their mark with more than half the household group who currently benefit from public expenditure on fuel poverty programmes not actually fuel poor. The Scottish Fuel Poverty Forum, chaired by Rev. Graham Blount, has been asked by the Scottish Government to develop proposals for the reform of fuel poverty programmes. The group will meet for the first time at the end of May and is required to report to Ministers by the end of the summer.   The Million Vote Mandate – Challenges Facing Boris Johnson A new report from leading think tanks Policy Exchange and Localis looks at the big issues the new Mayor of London will face in his first term as set out by some of the foremost experts and commentators on London politics. Boris Johnson is being called upon to revise 2012 London Olympics legacy – lasting regeneration for east London and improved sports infrastructure and participation – as these could well be a ‘recipe for failure and disappointed expectations. The report can be read at www.policyexchange.org.uk/Publications.aspx?id=623   ‘Today’s Parents are Poor Role Models for Kids’ Parents are usually considered to be a child’s first teachers and role models. But, a study has some dampening news for today’s generation of adults — you’re responsible for your kid’s lack of basic moral values. Researchers at the Children’s Society in Britain have carried out the study and found that children aren’t acquiring basic moral values nowadays because today’s parents are actually poor role models. Read the Good Childhood Enquiry report at www.childrenssociety.org.uk/whats_happening/media_office/latest_news/7624_pr.html.   Transformation Team News The Transformation Team works with faith communities in economically deprived areas across Glasgow and has a very specific anti-poverty remit. It is managed by Faith in Community (Scotland), an organisation with partners across the faiths in Scotland.   Team Updates We are currently recruiting for two posts in the team - Finance Administrator & Administrator. Fiona, our administrator, has been with us for a year now and has been accepted to do Teacher Training which is where her heart lies. We will all miss her in the office. On the funding line, the Scottish Government is in the process of producing guidance for all local authorities when considering applications from Faith communities. Keep looking at our website (www.transformationteam.org) for the guidance and other updates.   Faithful Purpose Faithful Purpose works with faith based groups in the poorest parts of Glasgow to secure support by linking with volunteers. In the past 6 months this has included a 1:1 guidance for church treasurers, placement of volunteers to provide reception duties,  finance event to provide guidance on the new arrangements implemented by OSCR, supervision support for a youth disco, bi-lingual support for Asylum Seeker English language tuition, Sunday service cover for a congregation, Praise Band to provide music for worship, and painting of project premises. We need to hear from groups and churches to identify areas where extra help or skills are required. Areas that are being developed for support include HR issues, such as recruiting, interviewing, employment law, etc and access to Tradesmen.  To take part in this initiative and secure support for your particular concerns, please contact Margo (t: 01412214576; e: margo@transformationteam.org).   Funding Support Available If you are working to tackle poverty in Glasgow and need a bit of support with your fundraising efforts then the Transformation Team may be able to help you.  If you need help to identify funders, review applications, or develop a strategy we can offer some support, at no cost.  Please contact Dave Zabiega on 0141 221 4576 or at david@transformationteam.org if this is something of interest.   Pathways to Grief (Dundee, 1st – 2nd September) The Team has been asked to contribute to a national NHS run conference taking place in Dundee in September (www.pathwaysthroughgrief.org.uk).  This is on the back of our ‘Listening to Grief’ report which looked at bereavement support provided by faith communities in the poorest areas of the city and where the gaps were and how they could be filled. In our workshop we will be exploring ways of making services more accessible and appropriate. Contact Fiona for a copy of the report (t: 01412214576; e:  fiona@transformationteam.org).   Youth Opportunities The Team is collaborating with the Rangers Football Club to provide an exciting offer for youth groups linked to faith based organizations operating in the poorest parts of Glasgow. The Club is providing access to their Learning Centre and sports facilities to help young people develop IT skills and football/dance skills. The sessions are open to young people from senior primary school through to secondary school and run from 4.30-6.30pm Tuesday-Thursday.  If you are interested in accessing this opportunity or would like more information, please contact Margo (t: 01412214576; e: margo@transfdormationteam.org).   Forthcoming Events These are a list of some of the events that we are aware of that may be of interest to you. Where there are significant costs involved, either in travel or fees, we may be able to help. Please contact Lynn (0141 248 2905) or Fiona (0141 221 4576) for more details.   Days Like This Days Like This is an Exciting Nationwide Project run by Scottish Book Trust and BBC Radio Scotland. The project aims to gather thousands of extraordinary tales, from born-and-bred Scots to newly-arrived immigrants, from Moffat to Orkney. To take part in Days Like This, all people need to do is write about a day in their life that was a bit extraordinary: It could be the day they didn’t get married, or the day they got lost in a supermarket. It could be a childhood memory or something that happened yesterday. It could have happened in Scotland or anywhere else in the world. Anyone can send a story - content is what matters! Stories should be no longer than 1,000 words and can be about anything as long as it’s true! All stories will appear on the BBC website for everyone to read. The celebrity panel will choose their favourites to be recorded and discussed in a series of radio programmes and published in a book in 2009. The deadline is 1st November 2008. For more information go to www.bbc.co.uk/radioscotland/dayslikethis/.   Maryhill Churches Together – Join Us for a Walk (2nd August) The Maryhill Churches Together in collaboration with Unlock Glasgow are going for a walk! A whole new picture of Maryhill is waiting to be discovered through a route that can be trimmed or expanded depending on you. Refreshments along the way with a barbeque at Ruchill Church are some of the goodies that await the bravehearted. For more details, contact Anne Craig (t: 01415700642; e: anne@unlockglasgow.org.uk).   Funding News The need to look for alternative sources of funding has become an integral part of life for many churches serving priority area parishes. In each edition of the eNews, we try to highlight a few possible sources as well as trying to keep people up to date with some of the big changes which are happening in the funding world.   Hilton in the Community Foundation The Foundation makes grants of between £5,000 to £50,000 towards supporting young people in education and health. Application deadlines in 2008 are: 4th August & 28th October 2008. For more information, please see www.hilton-foundation.org.uk/home.htm.  Hilton Hotels also donates a limited number of accommodation vouchers for use by charities for raffle or auction prizes at their fundraising events.  To enter the monthly draw to receive a voucher, requests should be made by Email: info@hilton-foundation.org.uk.   Funding to Tackle Consumer and Financial Illiteracy The Money Saving Expert Charity provides grants to individuals and not for profit organisations tackling consumer and debt illiteracy. The charity which has been set up by the financial website (www.moneysavingexpert.com) provides grants to individuals of up to £500 to help pay towards a recognised and approved course that will help improve their ability to budget and manage their finances.  For more information, go to www.msecharity.com/index.html?pid=1   Kellogs Active Living Fund The Fund aims to support projects and activities that enable adults and children to exercise together and help remove the “barriers” which stop people being active. The maximum grant request that will be considered is £1,000. For more information, see www.kelloggs.co.uk/company/corporateresponsibility/activelivingfund/   Philip Lawrence Awards These Awards promote youth involvement in local communities, social behaviour, self-esteem and continual participation in valuable neighbourhood activities. Winning groups receive cash awards of up to £1,000 to invest in sustaining or developing the award-winning activity. Groups made up of any number of nominees aged 11 to 20 years are eligible to enter. Nominations may be made by, for example, school teachers, governors, youth and community workers, police officers, local authority members, staff in Racial Equality Councils and people in voluntary and community sector bodies. Closing date for nominations is the 12th September 2008. For more information, go to www.4children.org.uk/pla/.   Tesco Charity Trust – Community Awards Through its one-off donations of between £1,000 and £4,000, the Trust aims to provide practical benefits, such as equipment and resources for projects that directly benefit children, the elderly and adults and children with disabilities, living in the local communities around their stores in the UK. For eligibility and application forms, go to www.tescocorporate.com/charitiesandfundraising.htm.   £30m Scottish Investment Fund (SIF) to ‘Create Bigger Social Enterprise in Scotland’ A new £30m Scottish Investment Fund (SIF) is being launched in September 2008 with the aim to support third sector organisations by investing in assets, business development and skills of people. According to John Swinney, the Finance Secretary, the Government is essentially ‘creating  funding stream for social enterprises similar to what the business sector has always had access to’. For more information on the fund: www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/People/15300/funding/scottishinvestmentfund.   The Church of Scotland Parish Development Fund (PDF) The aim of the Fund is to encourage churches to build meaningful partnerships with other churches and local groups and to work across traditional parish boundaries.  The Fund supports work which encourages local churches to act with others – local people, groups and other churches - for the benefit of the whole community and which improves the quality of life for people in greatest need in the community.  The Fund can award grants of up to £15,000 per annum for three years up to a maximum of 50% of total project costs. More details can be obtained at www.churchofscotland.org.uk/councils/pdfund/index.htm or by contacting the PDF Team (t:  01312255722-357; e: pdf@cofscotland.org.uk). The next deadline for applications is Friday, 29th August 2008.   The Church of Scotland Priority Areas Staffing Fund (PASF) The purpose of the Fund is to support the funding of additional staffing within both priority area parishes and those which appear on the 2007 Supplementary List of Priority Area Parishes.  Grants of up to £15,000 per annum for three years can be given towards posts which are in addition to those specified within approved Presbytery plans, are community-focused and have been developed in response to local needs and issues.  All funding granted requires match funding.  The Fund is administered by the Parish Development Fund Committee and more details can be obtained at www.churchofscotland.org.uk/councils/pdfund/index.htm or by contacting the PDF Team (t:  01312255722-357; e: pdf@cofscotland.org.uk). The next deadline for applications is Friday, 29th August 2008.   Resources & Publications This section highlights just a few resources which you might find useful in your work. While many of them are available to download, if you are having difficulty, please contact the Priority Areas Office.   A Snapshot Summary The Scottish Government’s performance has recently published its ‘performance at a glance page’ (www.scotland.gov.uk/About/scotPerforms/performance). The page summarises the Government’s assessment of the Purpose Targets and National Indicators and provides a useful 'first stop' for anyone looking for an overall picture of the state of Scotland.    Ethos, Effectiveness and Excellence This is a new community work resource designed to help Christian-based projects and organisations improve practice. Each section provides easy accessible information, helping bring knowledge, skills and the confidence to work effectively in diverse settings. Download free from www.faithworks.info.   Faith in Wales The first of its kind in Wales, the report provides information on the services being delivered by churches and other groups, looking at volunteers and staff they mobilise, and the premises they make available. The economic benefit impact of just part of the services provided to local communities is estimated at £104 per year. Read the report at www.gweini.org.uk/audit/report.htm.   Housing Policies for Scotland: Changes and Challenges The study, by Joseph Rowntree Foundation, provides an overview of the housing policy outcomes in Scotland. It suggests a focus beyond affordability and stability to social cohesion and inclusion as well as planning and infrastructure. The report can be read at www.jrf.org.uk/bookshop/details.asp?pubID=957.   New Masters for Christians Called to Social Action King’s College, London, is launching a new MA in Theology, Politics and Faith Based Organisations, the only Masters of its kind to combine the study of theology with the practice of Christian social, political and economic engagement. For more information, visit www.kcl.ac.uk/schools/sspp/education/courses/masters/theomod.html.   People’s Attachment to Place – The Influence of Neighbourhood Deprivation New research from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation considers the impact of neighbourhood instability and social mix on attachment. This recently published report is unique in considering place attachment from a regeneration perspective. Read the report at www.jrf.org.uk/bookshop/eBooks/2200-neighbourhoods-attachment-deprivation.pdf.   Young People and Loss This handbook outlines how grief – through death of a parent, other family member or friend, or through the separation of, desertion or divorce of parents and the breakdown of the family - affects the lives of young people in a variety of ways. It suggests ways in which young people may move forward to and are able to embrace the future with hope. The handbook can be ordered by phoning 01245347710 or email sales@matthew-james.co.uk.   Jobs In each edition we are happy to advertise (free of charge) information about any jobs in Priority Areas or which relate directly to our work. Your advert must be no more than 100 words and should include Job Title, Salary and Contact Details.   Full-Time Youth Development Worker (3D Drumchapel - A Partner of Drumchapel Churches Partnership) Salary £18,360  35 hours pw. The project has existed for 11 years offering practical, emotional and spiritual care and support to children, families and young people in Drumchapel. We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated individual to work with young people and develop our youth strategy for the project. Application Pack and further information can be obtained from Sharon Colvin (t: 01419445740; e: sharoncolvin@3ddrumchapel.org.uk). The closing date for applications is Friday 11th July with interviews on Tuesday 29th July.   Priority Areas eNews (Contact Details) The priority areas eNews is a collaboration between the Church of Scotland’s Priority Areas Committee and Faith in Community Scotland’s Transformation Team. For further information, contact any member of staff below.   Priority Areas     Lynn MacLellan Senior Administrator t:  0141 248 2905 e: lmaclellan@cofscotland.org.uk     Noel Mathias Development Worker t:  0141 248 2905 e: nmathias@cofscotland.org.uk     Transformation Team     Pauline Edmiston Team Coordinator t:  0141 221 4576 e: pauline@transformationteam.org     Calum Strang Church & Community Development Worker t:  0141 221 4576 e: calum@transformationteam.org     Faith in Community (Scotland), the Transformation Team & the Church of Scotland’s Priority Areas offices are based at:   Anderston Kelvingrove Church 759a Argyle Street Glasgow G3 8DS Change email address / Leave mailing list Hosting by YourMailingListProvider